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U.S. Kills Nautilus Laser Gun Project

(Globes) Amnon Barzilai - The Pentagon has killed the joint U.S.-Israeli Nautilus mobile tactical high energy laser (MTHEL), designed to intercept aerial targets such as rockets, missiles, and artillery shells at ranges of 5-6 kilometers. Maj.-Gen. (res.) Prof. Yitzhak Ben-Yisrael, who served as IDF chief R&D officer when the decision to develop the Nautilus was taken, said, "We'll have to live with Kassam rockets for decades. Technologically, the laser system was the only solution in the foreseeable future that could intercept them." Over a year ago, Israel received the Nautilus's radar system, which has been integrated into a warning system in Sderot to warn against incoming rockets. The Nautilus laser gun program was begun ten years ago, originally designed to enable the IDF to intercept Katyusha rockets fired by Hizballah in Lebanon. The technology chalked up impressive successes in tests, intercepting Katyushas and mortars in mid-flight. However, when development was completed it was realized that the system was immobile, awkward, and too big. A senior Defense Ministry official said Wednesday he believes the U.S. decision was professional. The Nautilus uses a chemical laser, and the U.S. is now developing a solid-state laser interceptor, which the U.S. believes is better technology.
2006-01-19 00:00:00
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